Bournemouth signed Leeds United left-back Leif Davis on a season-long loan deal at the start of this Championship campaign.
However, the full-back arrived with an injury and has been unable to pave a way into regular football since then.
Also standing in the way has been Jordan Zemura's form in the left-back role. The 21-year-old youth product has started excellently for The Cherries, forming a brilliant relationship with fellow emerging star Jaidon Anthony.
However, Scott Parker has outlined that Davis still has a part to play this season, during an interview with the Bournemouth Echo.
Speaking about Davis' start to life on the South coast, the Bournemouth boss said: “It’s tough for Leif at the moment. It’s been a little bit stop-start.
“He came to us injured and we then obviously built him back up.
“We played him a couple of games and then he came out of training, he picked up a bit of a knee injury that kept him out for three or four days.
“I think there’s no hiding behind the truth. The truth is, at the moment, there’s a boy in front of Leif in his position (Zemura) that is doing extremely well.
“Sometimes you’ve just got to sit there a little bit, make sure you still do the right things, keep working hard, getting your opportunity when it comes and taking it.
“I think Leif is in that position at the moment.
“We signed him because he’s a very good player. At this moment he’s just waiting for the opportunity really.”
Bournemouth currently sit top of the Championship table with 25 points from their opening 11 league games this season.
The Cherries are currently the only unbeaten team in the second-tier, ahead of their trip to Ashton Gate to face Bristol City on Saturday afternoon.
The Verdict
Davis is a player who has a lot to offer at this level of football, and it will be interesting to see if he can manage to steal that starting spot from the exciting Zemura, though it may be hard for him to convince Parker to chance a winning formula.
Even so, you would expect that his opportunity to impress will come, and for now, it is all about ensuring that he is in the best position possible to take that chance.
However, if he is unable to get enough minutes with The Cherries, then Leeds may look into recalling him and sending him elsewhere.
First team minutes will certainly help Davis' progression and come January, there might be some Championship clubs who might open conversations with Leeds, given the quality he could add to some of the other sides in the division.